Tax abatement meeting moves to fire hall

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News Eagle - Hawley, PA

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Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 3:52 PM

Posted Jan. 17, 2013 at 3:52 PM

Hawley, Pa.

The second workshop planned by Hawley Council regarding the tax abatement proposal has been scheduled at the Hawley Fire Hall on Columbus Avenue. The workshop, which is open to the public, is set for Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.

At the January Council meeting, Vice-president Mary Sanders said that the workshop might be moved to the fire station where there is more space, anticipating a large turnout. Normally, meetings are held at the Borough Hall.

Wayne County Commissioners, the County Tax Assessor and the Wallenpaupack Area School District Superintendent have been invited by Council, to receive their input on the tax relief program.

Hawley Silk Mill LLC has requested a five-year tax abatement on the improvements done to their property, with those taxes being phased in over that period. This would be allowed under the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program authorized by the PA legislature. Other qualifying businesses would be able to participate in the future, under parameters set by the Borough. The aim would be to encourage investment dollars and bring jobs to the area.

To do so, the Borough would need to establish boundaries where the program would apply, meeting certain criteria for an economically distressed or deteriorated community.

Should the Borough approve LERTA, the School District and County of Wayne could choose to adopt temporary tax relief as well for the Silk Mill and other eligible business development in Hawley.

No vote will be taken by Borough Council, at the workshop, which is for discussion only. If Council proceeds with the matter, a hearing would need to be set to establish the "distressed" district.